"He’s playing against the greatest football club in Champions League history and bossing it" - Ian Wright lavishes praise on Arsenal star

By Deepungsu Pandit

Modified Apr 11, 2025 09:24 GMT

England v Latvia - European Qualifiers Group K - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Source: Getty — Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has hailed Myles Lewis-Skelly following the 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals first leg on Tuesday, April 8. The Gunners dominated the LaLiga champions, registering one of their best performances in recent years.

Declan Rice scored two free kicks, while Mikel Merino also got on the scoresheet to mark a memorable night at the Emirates. While the entire team played well, Wright selected Lewis-Skelly for special praise.

Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, as cited by TBR Football, the former England international suggested that the 18-year-old dominated Real Madrid on the night.

“Myles Lewis-Skelly, having another, like, I don’t know how many games he’s in, Ryan. Is he 17 games in now or 18 games in, in respects of his career at Arsenal? He’s playing against the greatest football club in Champions League history and bossing it,” Wright said.

Wright's co-host, Ryan Hunn, pointed out that people don't realize how good the teenager is.

“Sorry, but, like, I still don’t think people realize how good this guy is,” said Hunn.

The former Arsenal striker acknowledged that fact, and added that Lewis-Skelly was good at left-back as well as in midfield.

“I don’t, I don’t realize how good he is. I don’t realize how good he is. I think to, first of all, lock down that left-hand side like you do in a defensive sense when you’re not a left-back, and then step up into midfield and just semi-dictate tempo against the European champions,” said Wright.

Arsenal face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, April 16, in the return leg.

Will Arsenal sign an Ajax defender this summer?

Arsenal are interested in Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, according to journalist Graeme Bailey. The Dutch defender has registered three goals and six assists from 44 games this season for the Eredivisie giants, operating mostly at left-back.

Speaking to The Boot Room, Bailey added that Liverpool are also eyeing the 19-year-old.

“Zinchenko will be allowed to leave, although that will be easier said than done considering his wages and Tierney is going," said Bailey.

He continued:

“Jorrel Hato is still a player they love – they’ve done all the work on him for years – they’ve been following him since he was 16. Liverpool like him as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if Hato came to England this year.”

Hato is under contract with Ajax until 2028.

About the author

Deepungsu is a veteran football journalist who has been covering daily transfer roundups and news for over six years at Sportskeeda. He has written over 8500 articles for the website, and has garnered over 19.5Million reads.

Deepungsu holds a PG degree in Microbiology and an MBA degree in Total Quality Management. He has an extensive two-decade long writing experience, which includes a decade of sports blogging. His writing prowess has even led his work getting cited on the legendary Franz Beckenbauer's Wikipedia page.

Inspired by Diego Maradona, Deepungsu played as an attacking midfielder for his local club at subdivision level in his initial years and scored an important goal or two. However, his all-time favorite footballer is Lionel Messi, and evidently, he feels Argentina's glory in 2022 is his favorite FIFA World Cup moment for fulfilling his long-standing dream. He is also an ardent East Bengal fan.

Deepungsu has been a Manchester United supporter since the year 2000. Unsurprisingly, his favorite manager is Sir Alex Ferguson and the Scotsman helped him get through some of the toughest days of his life. Like the fiery Scot, Deepungsu also leaves no stone unturned when it comes to accuracy in articles and only relies on credible sources.

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Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee